Community news

August 2, 2011 5:12 pm

Brewer

Potluck picnic

The Brewer Historical Society will hold its annual potluck picnic meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Clewley Museum, 199 Wilson St. Members and friends are reminded of the earlier time and changed location. All are welcome.

The Brewer Historical Society will hold an open house 1-3 p.m. Thursdays, during August.

Bangor

Veterans benefits

A Veteran’s Aid and Assistance seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Sunbury Village Retirement Community, 922 Ohio St. Veteran Service Provider Jacob Lowrey will explain the program, answer questions and be available to assist those attending in filing for benefits.

Among those who have benefited from the program are 91-year-old Bill Knight, a 32-year military veteran and well-known Maine Troop Greeter.

The former chief petty officer has shaken hands with more than a half-million troops leaving for, or returning from, the war in the Middle East.

Knight had outlived two daughters and two wives, lost his farm and was close to homeless before hearing about the Veteran’s Aid and Assistance benefit from a friend.

Home repair funds

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that applications are being accepted for grants to eligible applicants to help low- and very low-income rural residents repair their homes.

“These funds help limited-income rural homeowners improve their living conditions,” Vilsack said. “The costs associated with maintaining a home are a challenge for many rural homeowners and the funding we are announcing will be used by awardees to help low and very low-income residents in rural areas maintain and repair their homes.”

Housing Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

The grants are then distributed to qualified homeowners or owners of multifamily rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very low-income residents. Funding is not provided directly to homeowners.

The grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities. USDA may award up to $9.8 million in competitive grants through the program. Applications are due on Aug. 22. For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/me.